“ Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” the biblical story told in a musical form, will be open on The Garage Door Theater Stage in Pilot Point on Sept. 11.
The cast and crew total nearly 40 people, with many new faces gracing the stage.
“Starbright and Pilot Point have never seen this in their own community,” co-director Ryan Heitzman said. “For me, it's really exciting because I get to bring, you know, a big vibe with adding all of these moving lights and doing this kind of a rock-style show. It's going to be really spectacular.”
He and Christiana Heitzman codirected the show, and this is Ryan’s first time directing at the Starbright Center for the Arts, marking his return to theater after 20 years.
Lisa Griffin plays wife No. 9. In real life, she’s a school counselor at Aubrey ISD who has many students perform in plays, which inspired her to get involved in one of her first productions.
So far, she’s loved the experience.
“There are no small roles,” Griffin said. “We're on stage all the time, and we're backing up and singing and getting chances to dance, so it's a perfect chance to just get in there and do stuff.”
Kat Wagley plays wife No. 11, and it’s her first production since high school.
She decided to audition because she’s friends with the director and gets to share the stage with her son, Lucas Wagley, making it even more special for her.
“I’m just super excited for it, and hopefully everyone can come see it and love it,” Kat said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Ava Stepanian plays one of Asher’s wives; this is her first Starbright production, but she’s not new to the stage.
“I'm so excited for opening night,” Stepanian said. “I know all of the work that's been poured into this. It's going to be, especially visually— it's going to blow people's minds.”
Jeanne Hounchell plays one of the narrators and returns to theater after 35 years.
“It's been challenging; it still is,” Hounchell said. “Still got to learn those colors of that coat. But it's a good challenge, and I feel really good about what I've accomplished.”
Jay Tjernlund plays Zebulun, and his wife Deidre plays one of the wives; the couple has a little son named Asher, the same name as one of Joseph’s brothers.
“It's been over 20 years since I've done this, so I'm literally just kind of taking it all in and just remembering what it was like back in high school and college when I did this stuff,” Jay said.
Joe Hjelmgren plays Joseph and has wanted to do this show since he was 6.
“I got a chance to do it when I was 13 or 14,” Joe said. “I played Benjamin, the littlest brother, and I've always wanted to do it since.”
Halfway through that show years ago, the director told him he had to lip-sync because he was a bad singer, and that was the last musical he did for 30 years.
Ever since 2022, when he first started performing at the theater, he’s been advocating for the show, and now the moment has arrived.
His daughter Freja Hjelmgren plays a wife and a guard.
“I'm excited for my dad to be really happy because it's his dream role and dream show and everything,” Freja said. “So, I'm excited for that.”
David Stawski plays Joseph’s brother Levi because he enjoys both the story of Joseph and theater and what it meant to him.
“I do feel kind of connected to the show since I am as well Jewish,” Stawski said.
Hera Neyman, who has become a familiar face on the stage at Starbright, is excited for the musical.
“It's been so fun learning all the choreo; it’s been awesome, and then the harmony is so pretty,” she said.
Aayden Heitzman plays one of the wives and likes the environment; an extra plus is working with her parents, who are the directors.
“My favorite part of this production is probably working together as a group, communicating and just spending time with others,” Aayden said.
Lauren Kent plays Benjamin’s wife and enjoys any chance to be in musicals.
“I just feel like this is like a really big cast,” Kent said. “There aren't that many characters, but there are so many people. It's just an excellent time to be with friends, and that's what I love about musicals too.”
Sawyer Colley plays Wife No. 6. “It's been really fun,” Colley said. “The ideas for the show I really am excited for. I think this is the most excited I've been for a show … with all the cool lights and that stuff.”
Jeff Neyman plays Joseph’s brother Simeon with his onstage brothers and real-life friends Travis Hundley and Calvin Russell.
“Putting the three of us together, it's going to be a lot of shenanigans,” Jeff said.
Russell came back for his second Starbright production after playing Shrek to play Judah.
“My favorite part is just learning about the concept that they created, because it's very minimal … and I just thought their concept was really cool,” he said.
Mark Lanier plays Jacob, “the father of the 12 tribes of Israel,” Lanier said.
It’s one of his favorite stories from the Bible, and he enjoys musicals and set building.
“I'm hoping that we're able to bring some joy to the community of Pilot Point,” Lanier said.
Show dates are Sept. 11-13 and Sept. 18-20.
Tickets can be purchased online at starbrightmpa.com.
